The Social Discovery of a Class of Emerging Contaminants

Records: U.S. Military Knew of Dangers of Firefighting Foam in 2001

Erich Weiss, of Bers-Weston Services, takes water samples to test for PFOS and PFOA at the Lakehurst section of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in December. Tests on private wells around the base have begun. Photo credit: Carl Kosola, Photojournalist

This two-part series written by Kyle Bagenstose describes the U.S. military’s knowledge of potential dangers of PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foam, as detailed in records and documents obtained by a Philadelphia law firm.

“By 2001, the U.S. military knew firefighting foams used at bases across the country could break down into toxic chemicals, that the chemicals had entered streams and groundwater at several military bases, and that they could potentially be polluting drinking water wells.”